Spring 2009 - Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers

RYAN
VANDERPUTTEN
to think logically and work through problems has enabled me to
take on new tasks and solve problems that weren’t directly
taught in school.
During your career to date, have you pursued any
professional designations through ITE? If no, do you plan to
in the future?
I have not pursued any professional designations. I have thought
about taking the refresher courses, mainly to keep my technical
skills fresh, but I don’t plan on pursuing any of the designations.
Who has had the greatest influence on your life and
career?
My parents have had the greatest influence on my life,
challenging me through school, and fully supporting any
adventure I went on. My dad is an engineer, but I never really
knew what an engineer did until I asked him the summer before
Grade 12! It seemed like an exciting career path that matched
my skill set - so I ended up cramming all my science courses into
my final year of high school to get the pre-requisites for
engineering.
Projecting yourself into the future, from an end-of-career
perspective, what will you hope to have accomplished?
As a Transportation Planning Engineer, I realize that most of my
decisions have long term implications for how a city is shaped.
Unfortunately, I will be much further along in my career before I
realize the success (or otherwise) of my actions. As such, I try to
learn from other people’s actions before me!
I think the biggest shift that I hope to contribute to is a city where
more mobility choices are more available to all citizens, and
communities are shaped around walking, cycling and transit, not
just the automobile.
If you did not pursue engineering as a career choice, did
you have another career in mind?
When I was applying for universities, I had applied to the
Business Program at StFX. They were the first to offer me
admission, and even threw a few scholarships my way to entice
me to come out. It was more of a backup plan in case I couldn’t
get into Engineering school.
What is the first thing people most commonly ask or say
when they find out you are a transportation engineer?
They typically ask if I can change the signal timings for them.
Those that don’t realize that there are probably over 100
transportation engineers with the City of Calgary ask if I am
working on “Project X”. Most people tend to associate
transportation engineers with the large infrastructure projects that
are highly visible.
What is the most daring thing you’ve done in your lifetime
(that you’re willing to see in print)?
It’s pretty sad when this is the toughest question to come up
with a good answer. I like to consider myself a risk taker, but I’ve
never jumped out of an airplane, bungee jumped, streaked
across a football field or outrun an avalanche.
What is the last book that you read, or are currently reading?
I love to research a variety of topics (which sometimes leaves
little room in my head for the important stuff)! I am a big fan of
non-fiction books, especially business and finance books. I don’t
get too much time to read though…
I am currently reading Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt (you know you
are a transportation engineer when…!) It is a fascinating book
about the social aspect of traffic and why people drive the way
they do.
Have you ever met anyone you consider famous?
Not really. I guess the only one close is a girl I went to high
school with was on the first season of “For Love or Money”!
Does that count?!
What is the single greatest satisfaction you take from the
engineering profession?
Knowing that I have the ability to make the city I live in a better
place for future generations.
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